Washing clothes is probably the least desired house chore anyone would like to do. However, it’s a chore that absolutely must be done. For this reason I always keep a handy list of laundry tips and tricks to solve my problems.
I wash clothes at least 3-4 times a week so that I won’t have to wash on the weekends.
Like most people, washing clothes is not a chore that has been taught to most of us, we had to learn how to use various products by trial and error. The internet has helped many of us to learn how to wash it or not wash various fabrics. Like you, I learned a lot about what products and how best to use certain products on white clothes as compared to jeans, linens, or towels.
More than likely you probably have turned to the internet, just like me, to find out what works best and what doesn’t work best on certain fabrics. However, most of the time, they don’t tell you how much or the quantity of ingredients to use.
Right?
So stay with me on this because I’m going to share with you various DIY products that you can use listing the quantities and how to mix and use it. All of these laundry tips and tricks will save you time and money.
1. DIY STAIN REMOVER THAT WORKS ON EVERYTHING
- Mix one part Dawn with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide
- Make a paste by adding 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda
- Pour the mixture directly onto the stain and let it sit for about 1-1/2 hours. Do not place in the dryer unless the stain has been removed.
I’ve even used this on my carpet and it works great!
2. DIY INK STAIN REMOVER
Depending on the content of the fabric, there are several methods that can be used. So, I’m going to share with you some laundry tips and tricks that has worked for me with different fabrics.
Jeans – mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Use a small brush (preferably a toothbrush) and rub on fabric until stain is removed. Be sure to rub lightly.
Cottons and all other fabrics, except silk and wool – Use hairspray (non-aerosol) and/or hand sanitizer, Either one will work well.
Natural Living Ideas
3. DIY BLEACH
Want a natural alternative to Clorox, Purex or any of the chemical bleach you use? Try this laundry tip and trick it really works!
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- If you have hard water, use 1 tablespoon of citric acid (this is optional)
Believe me, this really works.
4. REMOVE WRINKLES WITH ICE
I hate to iron, don’t you? I have read that you can remove wrinkles with a few ice cubes placed on the dryers hot setting. I know of a better way, if you have a setting that shows “air dry, “less dry,” or “wrinkle free” shield, just use that cycle and WALLA no more wrinkles.
thekrazycouponlady.com
5. REMOVE BAD ODOR FROM YOUR JEANS
Some people don’t like to wash their favorite pair of jeans in the washer because, it is said, that their jeans will either fade, shrink stiffen, or make it uncomfortable to wear. Maybe that is true, I don’t really know because I’ve never had that problem. The truth is that the more you wear your jeans, bacteria will form caused from your skin. This will cause a very bad odor. So, here’s some more laundry tips and tricks that will eliminate the problem:
- Place the jeans in a zip lock bag and place in the freezer …..this will kill the bacteria, or
- Send your jeans to the dry cleaners and have it dry cleaned. Be sure to tell the attendant not to wash.
6. SWEAT STAINS
If you have sweat stains under your armpits or around the collar, don’t sweat it. Those stains can be earily removed. Here’s an eco-friendly cleaning solutions that costs nothing. Soak the stain in a bowl filled with the solution (made into paste) below:
- 1 cup vinegar
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide
Soak for about 30 minutes
baby powder
7. ELIMINATE GREASE STAINS
So you like fried chicken, French fries and greasy foods? Can’t seem to stop eating these foods without spilling grease on that favorite shirt or blouse, here’s a quick solution. Rub chalk, cornstarch or baby powder on that stain and it will absorb the grease. Throw it in the washer and the grease is gone.
8. UNSHRINK YOUR CLOTHES
Have you ever shrunk a favorite blouse? I know I have and never imagined that the shrinking could have been reversed. This is probably my favorite laundry tips and tricks that I learned. All that needs to be done is this:
- Fill a sink or bowl with lukewarm water (be careful …..not too hot) Hot water will only shrink it more and I want to stress this point. Lukewarm water means using a little more cold than hot.
- Use 2-3 tablespoons of soft hair conditioner (Use a hair conditioner that has more oil) The oil tends to soften the threads so that the fabric can be pulled
- Lay your garment on a large towel roll it up to remove the water. Unroll and stretch it to bring it back to normal size
This is definitely my favorite lesson learned.
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9. CHEWING GUM REMOVAL
Have you ever sat in gum? Or, had it stuck to your shoe? There are 2 ways to remove gum.
- Rub peanut butter onto the gum and gently remove it, or
- Purchase “GooGone” at Home Depot
- Rub ice cubes on chewing gum and let the gum harden, then remove it. This tip may not work on all garments, I learned that it depends on the type of fabric.
10. REMOVE BLOOD STAINS
Children always have blood stains on their shirts, pants, or sweaters from the many falls and scrapes that they incur from playing….the little angels. Here’s one surefire way of removing this stubborn stain. Run cold water over the stain and then use a drop of liquid detergent, rub together and stain should be gone. If not, try pouring hydrogen peroxide over the stain to lift it and that will surely remove it.
mamabee.com
11. STOP RUNS IN YOUR STOCKINGS
Did you know that you can stop a run in your pantyhose or tights. Just apply clear fingernail polish or spray hairspray on the run and it will stop right where it started. I used this trick many times. This laundry tip has been around for ages. I don’t know any woman who doesn’t know this trick.
Oops, if you’re one of those ladies who didn’t know, then you’re going to love this. You can save a many pantyhose.
12. REMOVE TOUGH STAINS ON YOUR CARPET
The best solution I have ever found was hydrogen peroxide. Pour the hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain, let it sit for about 5 minutes and then start rubbing and blotting with a clean cloth. Works every time.
13. REMOVE WINE STAINS
Red wine stains and grape juice are usually the hardest stains to remove. However, one of the best ways to remove these two stains is applying either salt or club soda directly to the stain.
14. SHOE ODORS
Have you ever had a gym bag or smelly sneakers stink so bad that you just couldn’t use it anymore, so you threw it away? Before you throw it away try this quick remedy. Try putting dry tea bags in those smelly sneakers or gym bag and it will absorb the odor. Works like a charm! I have tried this trick and it works well, but I like this technique better. To help remove the odors and moisture from the shoe, when your shoes are not being worn, crumple up fresh newspaper and stuff it in your shoe to absorb the moisture.
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15. WORN DOWN HEELS
Worn down high heels can always be repaired with instant heel caps that can be purchased at Amazon. If your heel tip is to large you can form it to the shape of your heel with super glue. Be sure to clean off extra glue quickly before it dries, otherwise it will turn a whitish color, which I’m sure you won’t like.
16. REMOVE CIGARETTE SMOKE ODOR
If you’re a smoker then you already know how to remove smoke odors from your clothes. Throw it in a wash with laundry detergent and some nice hot water and odor is gone. The only fabric that I can think of that tends to retain cigarette odors is wool. For the most part you will probably send that garment to the cleaners and the cigarette smell will be gone.
Not true.
I’m not a smoker, but I have worked with people that have this problem and encountered only one person that knew how to get rid of the odor. So, here’s another laundry tip and trick that I learned from them. Run hot water in a bathtub and pour 2 cups of white vinegar in the steaming water. Close the bathroom door and hang your garment on the shower rod. The rising steam and vinegar will eliminate the smoke odor without damaging the fabric.
popsugar
17. REMOVE LIPSTICK
Someone told me years ago to try this trick when I dropped a tube of lipstick on my jacket and it worked. So, I’m going to share this secret. If your clothing is the type that has to be dry cleaned, try using a piece of tape to blot out the stain and then use baking soda or baby powder to pick up the remainder of the stain and brush it off with a toothbrush. Either one will work fine. It works everytime!
18. DIY DRYER SHEETS
Believe it or not this is another laundry tip and trick that is amazing. Just roll a piece of foil in circular motion to create a ball and you now have a dryer sheet. I have also heard that tennis balls acts as a dryer sheet. Not sure about this one, haven’t tried it. But, I will!
SeaVees.
19. REMOVE DIRT FROM CANVAS SHOES
Have you given up on trying to keep your white tennis shoes clean? Don’t think it’s possible to keep it clean? I’ve got news for you….it can be done. Listen to this. If your tennis shoes are brand new spray with starch….that’s right…. starch. The starch will keep the dirt from embedding in the canvas. This is a great DIY method and a laundry tip that will save you some money
What about tennis shoes that I have worn several times? Here’s what worked for me. I purchased a Fabric Protector Spray and Stain Guard made by TriNova from Amazon.
20. ELIMINATE PET ODORS FROM YOUR BLANKETS
There is nothing worse than walking into someone’s house and the first sniff you get is pet odors from cats and dogs. Whew, does that smell awful! This can be quickly and simply eliminated just by mixing a ½ cup of vinegar with your laundry detergent and odor is all gone.
If the smell is in the carpet, I suggest using a carpet cleaner *such as a (Rug Doctor). Use a ½ cup of vinegar and fill the tank with water, lightly sprinkle baking soda on carpet as you move around and let dry for one day and pet odors will be gone.
Tip: You may want to add fresh lemons to the water or lavender essential oil.
In the past few years store bought chemical products are almost non-existent in my house. Vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide have become my staple products. You know the old cliché, “can’t live without it.” All of these products are used for food, cleaning, and laundry at my home.
I certainly would have never learned the many lessons about removing stains and reversing a shrinkage on my garments had it not been for the internet. The sharing and exchange from the global usage of the internet has made all of us so much more aware about how to do anything we want to know. I have used every one of these tips on my clothes as well as my family. I hope that you will be as satisfied with the solutions discussed above as I was.
Try some of the these laundry tips and tricks and be sure to let me know in the comments below what you think. Please share.
